Correlated genetic and ecological diversification in a widespread Southern African horseshoe bat
Date
2012-02
Authors
Stoffberg, Samantha
Schoeman, M. Corrie
Matthee, Conrad A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Abstract
The analysis of molecular data within a historical biogeographical framework, coupled with ecological characteristics can
provide insight into the processes driving diversification. Here we assess the genetic and ecological diversity within a
widespread horseshoe bat Rhinolophus clivosus sensu lato with specific emphasis on the southern African representatives
which, although not currently recognized, were previously described as a separate species R. geoffroyi comprising four
subspecies. Sequence divergence estimates of the mtDNA control region show that the southern African representatives of
R. clivosus s.l. are as distinct from samples further north in Africa than they are from R. ferrumequinum, the sister-species to R.
clivosus. Within South Africa, five genetically supported geographic groups exist and these groups are corroborated by
echolocation and wing morphology data. The groups loosely correspond to the distributions of the previously defined
subspecies and Maxent modelling shows a strong correlation between the detected groups and ecoregions. Based on
molecular clock calibrations, it is evident that climatic cycling and related vegetation changes during the Quaternary may
have facilitated diversification both genetically and ecologically.
Description
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at www.plosone.org/
The original publication is available at www.plosone.org/
Keywords
Bats -- Ecology, Rhinolophus clivosus sensu lato -- Genetic and ecological diversity
Citation
Stoffberg, S., Schoeman, M. C. & Matthee, C. A. 2012. Correlated genetic and ecological diversification in a widespread Southern African horseshoe bat, PLoSOne, 10.1371/journal.pone.0031946.